Student stories

Stories by course area...

Bradley Walters

"I'm now employed as Track Manager for the Warragul Harness Racing Club."

Brad came to our Gippsland Harness Training Centre as a school leaver and is now a registered Harness Driver.

“Within a short time, I was given a drive on the Centre’s double sulky. It was an amazing experience. The feeling of being on the track with the horse thundering in front of you is exhilarating. From that day, I was hooked. The early mornings didn’t matter anymore. I had a reason to get up and I wanted to learn more.”

“During my training, I volunteered at the Gippsland Harness Training Centre assisting the trainers to help other students. That led me to a paid position as an assistant trainer for two years. It has been a fantastic journey.”

"I'm now enjoying my role as Track Manager for the Warragul Harness Racing Club and still enjoy volunteering at CCG's Gippsland Harness Training Centre when I can."

James Peglar and Peter Lindsay

“The specialised Horticulture workshops were very worthwhile.”

James Peglar and Peter Lindsay graduated with a Certificate III in Horticulture from CCG as workplace trainees with Frankston City Council.

They received training in their workplace and also attended full day workshops to learn specialised skills.

“We’ve learnt heaps. To get out on the land and do workshops is really valuable,” said James.

Peter said he had done a bit of pruning at work but to actually work hands on in an orchard and a park rose garden was a great way to learn pruning techniques.

“It gave me the confidence to take what I have learned back to my work role and apply the knowledge and skills.”

Kylie Reeves

“I’ve achieved my trainer’s licence in the harness industry and have started to train my own horses.”

Kylie came to the centre with a personal mission to learn as much as she could and gain qualifications to continue the harness dynasty of her father and grandfather.

She completed a Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stablehand) and in 2014 won the Angelique Club Award to encourage young women in the field. Kylie went on to complete a certificate IV in Racing (Racehorse trainer) and has now obtained her trainer’s licence.

She has leased a property to train her own horses and build a career. Kylie has also registered her version of her late father’s racing colours and is looking forward to getting her first horse to the track in the near future.

Mariah Lakeman

“I’ve earned four qualifications since I came to the Gippsland Harness Training Centre and I’m now ready to train horses.”

Mariah Lakeman won the 2015 Student of the Year Award sponsored by the Warragul and District Light Harness Club for her outstanding achievement. She has also been a role model and mentor student volunteering her time as an assistant trainer to new VET in School students.

Mariah said she was ready to take the skills and knowledge she has learned to start training horses.

“The Centre has been my life since I was in Year 11 when I took up a Certificate II Stable hand as a VET in Schools student. I returned the following year to complete a Certificate III Advanced Stable hand course and went onto attain Certificate IV Racehorse Driver and Certificate IV Racehorse Trainer qualifications.

“I can’t keep away from this place. The support you get here is amazing and the horses are everything. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been around horses before the staff will support you to learn and train safely.”

Olivia Mioch

“Training in the hydroponics facility has been an amazing learning experience.”

Olivia successfully completed two Certificate III qualifications in Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management and was awarded the 2015 CCG Brian Clarke Award for rural studies innovation.

“I’m hooked. I love growing plants and am interested in food production, sustainability, biodiversity, and conservation and land management.

“I originally studied Law at University but came to the realisation that my true passion was with plants and nature.”

“I have learned so much at CCG. It has been an amazing journey. Hydroponics was all new to me and has given me an opportunity to grow exotic plants and food that you might struggle to grow outdoors in our cool climate.”

Olivia is now studying a Certificate III in Agriculture to extend her knowledge across rural studies and would like to start heir own small business in the future.

Tayla Wells

“I'm working as an apprentice farrier after training at CCG’s Gippsland Harness Training Centre.”

Tayla Wells gained a taste of the harness industry when she took up a Certificate II Stablehand course as a VET in Schools student. She returned to complete a Certificate III Advanced Stablehand qualification the following year.

“I've never been anywhere where I've felt so relaxed and so ready to learn.”

During her course, Tayla gained experience working with a farrier and loved it.

“It’s a tough job and hard work but it really suited me. I was offered an apprenticeship as a result of that placement which is a dream opportunity.”

Tayla’s commitment to her training was recognised when she was awarded the Angelique Club award in 2015, an award to encourage woman to pursue careers in the harness industry

“Thank you to the staff at the Gippsland Harness Training Centre for helping me find my passion and start a career in this amazing industry.”

Nadine Harte

Nadine runs her own horse education and breaking-in business and is passionate about all things horses.

"I achieved a Certificate II and III Racing Stablehand qualification while I was at school and it helped me to progress my business."

"Training with real race horses and having access to a range of horse specialists - trainers, drivers, farriers and dentists - helped me to increase my knowledge of horse health and behaviour."

Cassie Pendlebury

“Returning to study helped me improve my skills and discover a career area I am passionate about.”

Cassie studied a Certificate in General Education for Adults (CGEA) in 2013 to improve her knowledge, skills and job opportunities. She went on to study a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management at Community College Gippsland and excelled despite experiencing personal challenges.

She was awarded the prestigious CCG/Brian Clarke award in recognition of her commitment to rural study.

Cassie said through her study at CCG she had discovered a passion for the environment and she hopes to take up a Bachelor of Environmental Science in the future.

Abby Orchard

“I’m working towards a career as a Race Horse Driver in the harness industry.”

Abby Orchard has discovered a purpose and a passion through her training. She completed Certificate III Advanced Stable hand qualifications at CCG’s Gippsland Harness Training Centre and is now training to be a Driver.

“This place has changed my life. I wasn’t enjoying school and was considering leaving. The College suggested I try equine as a VET in Schools subject and while I had never been around race horses, I thought I’d give it a go. I was nervous at first but the support I was given helped me increase my confidence. The enjoyment you get working with these beautiful horses just keeps you coming back.”

Abby was awarded the inaugural Danielle Lewis Memorial Award for her commitment to study in 2015.